Farthing (British Coin)
A farthing (derived from the Anglo-Saxon feorthing, a fourthling or fourth part) was a coin of England, Great Britain, and finally of the United Kingdom, worth one quarter of a penny, 1⁄960 of a pound sterling. Such coins were first minted in England in the 13th century, and continued to be used until 31 December 1960, when they ceased to be legal tender.
Early farthings were silver, but surviving examples are rare. The first copper farthings were issued during the reign of King James I and VI, who gave a licence for minting to John Harington, 1st Baron Harington of Exton. Licences were subsequently given out until after the Commonwealth, when the Royal Mint resumed production in 1672.
Read more about Farthing (British Coin): Early Farthings, Edwardian and Henrician Farthings, Base-metal Farthings, Tin Farthings, Farthings of Anne and Of The Kings of The House of Hanover, Victorian Farthings, Darkened Farthings, Post-1901 Farthings, End of The Farthing